New Delhi: Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, after deferring the decision on the INDIA bloc’s Prime Ministerial candidate, surprised many by proposing Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge for the position during the ongoing meeting of the Opposition INDIA bloc. This unexpected move garnered widespread approval due to Kharge’s prominence as a Dalit leader.
Twelve participating parties, including Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, expressed support for the plan, seeing it as an opportunity for the country’s first Dalit Prime Minister. However, Mr. Kharge gracefully declined, emphasizing the priority of winning elections and securing a majority before discussing the Prime Ministerial candidate. He stated that the focus should be on achieving success in the elections rather than prematurely deciding on leadership roles.